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Bereaved family's funds help brain tumour research

Emily Hawthorn Mike Hawthorn and his wife Emily on their wedding day. She is wearing a white dress and he is wearing a navy blue suit jacket and red tie. They are sitting in the back of a car. Emily Hawthorn
Mike Hawthorn, of Ashford, was diagnosed with meningioma at the age of 26

The family of a man who died of an incurable brain tumour just four months after the birth of his child have seen first-hand the benefits of their fundraising efforts.

Mike Hawthorn, of Ashford, Surrey, was diagnosed with grade 2 meningioma at the age of 26 after a routine eye test.

Despite undergoing surgery in 2021, Mr Hawthorn died in July the following year, aged 33.

After his friends raised £13,700 by running the London Marathon, his wife Emily was invited to the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence to see how the funds supported scientists to improve the diagnosis and treatment of high-grade glioma.

His mother Steph, sister Emily and friend Alex Roberts also attended the site at Imperial College London.

Brain Tumour Research One man and three women stood against a wall, all looking at the camera. Two of the women are pointing to a silver plaque on the wall. Brain Tumour Research
Mike Hawthorn's friend, wife, mother and sister attended visited the Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence

The group was given the opportunity to tour the labs and speak to scientists about their work to find a cure.

"We were our own little clan," Mr Roberts said.

"Mike was always the life of the party, he was funny and witty, the comedian of the group. He was kind too, everybody loved Mike, you couldn't help it.

"His death has been a massive loss to so many people."

Emily Hawthorn Mike Hawthorn wearing a blue t-shirt, holding his son, who is wearing an all white outfit. They are sat on a grey sofa. Emily Hawthorn
Mike Hawthorn was diagnosed with meningioma at the age of 26 after a routine eye test

Mr Hawthorn lived to see the birth of his son Edison, but died four months later in March 2022.

His wife Emily said their family "felt complete" after the birth of their child.

"It was Mike's dream to have a baby. He was over the moon. But by the time Edison was four months old, he'd lost his dad and I'd lost my husband," she said.

She added: "It's too late for Mike, but I hope the money raised in Mike's memory is life-changing and brings the day closer when a cure is found and families don't have to go through what we have."

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